Concerns about safety have prompted Woodstock selectmen to start working on a proposed ordinance that would regulate short-term rentals in town.

The move was prompted by concerns from Fire Chief Kyle Hopps about life safety issues relating to such rentals, according to town officials. They defined a short-term rental as renting for less than 30 consecutive days.

Town Manager Tonya Lewis said Woodstock has seen more properties being used as short-term rentals as a result of the town’s proximity to Sunday River Resort, as well as its large number of lakefront properties.

At the board’s Sept. 1 meeting, several people expressed worries about such an ordinance, saying it could discourage people from purchasing second homes in town, according to the minutes. Others took another view and worried about safety.

Selectmen defined a short-term rental as renting for less than 30 consecutive days.

The issue was the topic of a workshop Sept. 15, at which the board used an ordinance from Casco as a guide. Because Woodstock is strictly prioritizing safety, the selectmen eliminated a number of areas addressed in the Casco document, such as a section on “peace and quiet” and a requirement for a “good neighbor” flyer sent to renters ahead of their stay with guidelines on respectful conduct while renting. 

Selectman Jeff Campbell said a safe space for renters was a higher priority than providing for peace and quiet.

Other topics dropped included specific occupancy limits, water testing and fire extinguisher requirements.

Hopps recommended that rather than spell out occupancy limits, the town use the National Fire Protection Association codes and provide two means of egress from each bedroom, as well as require smoke and carbon monoxide detectors outside each bedroom.     

He also did not advocate for specifically requiring fire extinguishers, because, he said, they could encourage people to stay inside and fight a fire rather than leave, which he said is the best and safest option.

Officials also ruled out water tests, categorizing them as a lower priority.

Making it into the draft ordinance was a recommendation for “Knox Boxes,” which are locked boxes placed outside a home with a house key that firefighters can access via a code, in order to get into a home in an emergency situation. The board considered requiring them, but Lewis said she thought a recommendation was a better approach.

Selectmen debated the pros and cons of the boxes. They noted that having boxes required the fire department to maintain records on them, but in addition to providing access in a fire, the boxes also eliminate the need to replace a door if firefighters have to break it down in situations that do not turn out to be life-threatening.

Hopps also recommended that an emergency contact be provided to deal with complaints or safety issues.

A prohibition on owners preparing or serving food to guests in a manner that would require an eating establishment license from Maine was also included.

Other items addressed were fines for violations, recommended at a minimum of $300 a day, and $100 for rental owners to register their property and renew it annually. An online option for registration could be provided, Lewis said.

Selectmen directed Lewis to incorporate their edits into the draft ordinance for further review at their next meeting, Oct. 6.

Although town officials had encouraged people to come to the workshop, only one person attended.

The selectmen’s draft will eventually go to a town Ordinance Review Committee for consideration, and if it receives that committee’s recommendation it will go up for a vote at the annual town meeting in March, town officials said.